Region Five marathon a big disappointment
The third edition of the African Union Sport Council (AUSC) Region Five Marathon which was held in Swakopmund on Saturday only attracted three countries: Namibia, Botswana and Malawi.
The marathon was expected to attract 200 athletes all together, however, Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe did not send athletes for the event.
Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) chief administrator, Freddy Mwiya expressed disappointment with Region Five countries that failed to honour their commitment with the regional marathon.
“If we are to make this event bigger in the region we need athletes from all the Region Five countries to compete,” Mwiya said.
Mwiya said South Africa should be taken to task, because it appears as if they do not care about the competition. “South Africa looks at themselves as superior; because they prefer to see their athletes compete in Europe than at this regional event.”
He said since the start of the marathon in 2015, South Africa has never sent athletes to support this event and this does not make sense because they are one of the countries with more resources in this region.
Mwiya added that if this event is to reach its peak and become the biggest in the region, countries should be compelled to compete at each and every competition.
He said Malawi and Botswana brought enough athletes who challenged their Namibian counterparts. “The event was a success because we also had track events, where Namibian able-bodied athletes and Para-athletes showed off their talents.”
Peter Wilson from Disability Sport of Namibia said the event was well organised and kicked off when it was suppose to, however, participation was the problem. He said that he did not know why the other countries did not turn up or if they gave any excuse for their absence.
He referred this reporter to Joanne Manuel chairperson of the organising committee. She said that there will be a press release approved by NSC availed to all media about the happenings at the event before going to print.
The marathon was first held in Malawi in 2015 and in Mozambique in 2016. The AUSC Region Five is the sports arm of the African Union, which aims to use sport as a tool to achieve peace, integration and unity in Africa.
–Additional reporting NAMPA
Limba Mupetami
The marathon was expected to attract 200 athletes all together, however, Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe did not send athletes for the event.
Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) chief administrator, Freddy Mwiya expressed disappointment with Region Five countries that failed to honour their commitment with the regional marathon.
“If we are to make this event bigger in the region we need athletes from all the Region Five countries to compete,” Mwiya said.
Mwiya said South Africa should be taken to task, because it appears as if they do not care about the competition. “South Africa looks at themselves as superior; because they prefer to see their athletes compete in Europe than at this regional event.”
He said since the start of the marathon in 2015, South Africa has never sent athletes to support this event and this does not make sense because they are one of the countries with more resources in this region.
Mwiya added that if this event is to reach its peak and become the biggest in the region, countries should be compelled to compete at each and every competition.
He said Malawi and Botswana brought enough athletes who challenged their Namibian counterparts. “The event was a success because we also had track events, where Namibian able-bodied athletes and Para-athletes showed off their talents.”
Peter Wilson from Disability Sport of Namibia said the event was well organised and kicked off when it was suppose to, however, participation was the problem. He said that he did not know why the other countries did not turn up or if they gave any excuse for their absence.
He referred this reporter to Joanne Manuel chairperson of the organising committee. She said that there will be a press release approved by NSC availed to all media about the happenings at the event before going to print.
The marathon was first held in Malawi in 2015 and in Mozambique in 2016. The AUSC Region Five is the sports arm of the African Union, which aims to use sport as a tool to achieve peace, integration and unity in Africa.
–Additional reporting NAMPA
Limba Mupetami
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